Last night, under the open sky of Cardiff Castle’s Castle Green, KAE TEMPEST delivered a stirring, resonant set that illuminated the show well before Fontaines D.C. stormed the stage. As the special guest on the Depot Live bill, Kae arrived with palpable gratitude – clearly elated to be performing in Wales – and immediately set a tone of uplift and connection.
The castle was filled with fans who knew every lyric to every track, but for those who were seeing Kae for the first time, this was a performance they would never forget. Their energy both on stage and in the audience was electrifying and it certainly felt this was a special night for Kae.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve seen anyone smile so much, the band too beamed as Kae, wearing a dark suit, white tee and light brown shoes walked across the huge stage before taking us into the brilliant ‘Lionmouth Door Knocker‘. With lyrics which felt perfect for what was to become a perfect set.
‘At any given moment,
In the middle of a city
There’s a million epiphanies occurring
And the blurring of the world beyond the curtain
And the world within the person
There’s a quiver in the litter
In the alleyway, he’s singing‘
Kae is like no one else you’ll see and difficult to put into a single category. They are an award-winning poet, musician, playwright and Mercury Music Prize-nominated. It’s easy to see why every gig they play is a sell out, with performances filled with joy and hope but messages which touched all of us last night.
Following London punks HIGH VIS, Kae took to the stage with the relaxed confidence of someone at home, although this was their first time at this grand historic venue. From the opening lines of their first song, the crowd responded visibly: heads nodded, smiles spread, and the air pulsed with goodwill. It was clear: they were happy to be there, and the Welsh audience was happy to have them.
What made the performance particularly moving was how Kae Tempest’s lyrics – drawn from their full‐length catalogue, including songs from their newest album – struck a chord with the crowd. Themes of identity, resilience, and community found resonance under the castle walls. A slice of spoken‑word poetry morphed into a song about roots and belonging, and the crowd responded with cheers and sing‑along murmurs. Their new material, fresh to many ears, felt instantly familiar – as if Welsh pride and their own poetic sincerity merged under the night sky.
The setlist was thoughtfully curated. Older fan favourites earned roars, while newer tracks from the latest album brought hushed introspection. You could feel emotional shifts as the sun set behind the ramparts, from energised verses to quiet reflections, and Kae Tempest navigated those transitions effortlessly.
One standout moment came mid‑set with lyrics about home and perseverance that elicited communal chants. The response: a wave of warmth from the audience, affirming the lyrical universality beyond geography.
Fontaines D.C., when they later took the stage, undoubtedly delivered their trademark intensity and punk-inflected energy to a sold‑out crowd of around 10,000. But before that, Kae had created a gentle but powerful opening chapter, an emotional primer for what was to come.
A fan described the evening to us as “an incredible night … Fontaines DC were incredible and the whole crowd had crazy energy. I left absolutely soaking, but very happy” and that enthusiasm surely applied to Kae’s halfway spotlight too.
Onstage, Kae’s interaction with the audience felt intimate yet inclusive. They punctuated verses with light humour and Welsh‑friendly nods, small bits of language, references to Cardiff itself, drawing cheers of appreciation. Everyone seemed in sync with their real‑time joy of performing at such an iconic Welsh landmark.
By the time Kae closed their set, perhaps with one of their more anthemic newer tracks, the atmosphere was ready for Fontaines D.C.’s ferocious follow-up. Tempest’s set felt like a bridge – from poetic introspection into post‑punk catharsis, crafted with care and met with wholehearted response.
Overall, Kae Tempest’s Cardiff Castle performance was uplifting, heartfelt, and thoroughly attuned to the crowd. Their presence, both lyrical and personal, resonated deeply with the Welsh audience: a perfect prelude to Fontaines D.C.’s rousing headline set.
